Automobile bumper



Feb. 20, 1923.

A. L. MCGREGOR AUTOMOBILE BUMPER 2 sheets-sheet 1 Original FiledDe-e-r-'A 1920 '-.wfww-U ANGELES Feb. 20, 1923. Re. 15,545 A. MCGREGORAUTOMOBILE BUMPER Original Filed 1920 2 sheets-sheet 2 CGE oE v ReissuedFeb. n20, i 1923.

vUNITED STATES Re.1s`,54s

PATENT oFFicE.

ALLAN L. MCGREGOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMOBILE BUMPER.

Original No. 1,361,599, dated December 7, 1920, Serial No. 378,385,filed May 3, 1920. Application for reissue filed October 30, 1922.

To (LZZ lwko-m t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALLAN L. MCGREGOR, a citizen of the United States.residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Automobile Bumpers, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automobile bumpers, and moreparticularly to devices of the character described which areconstructed, for the most part, of metal bars having. a degree ofresiliency in the material itself to absorb the shock of impact, Withoutthe addition of springs or other shock absorbing means, the bars ofwhich the bumper is constructed being bent or otherwise shaped toprovide dependable protective means for the purpose of which thesedevices are ordinarily' employed.

The object of this invention is to provide a construction for a bumperhaving the general characteristics hereinbefore suggested, and furtherembodyingr features per` taining to the formation of 'the inherentlyresilient material, calculated to effectively absorb shocks of impactwithout resulting in a permanent distort-ion of the bumper struc` ture.A further feature of the invention pertains to pivotal means forattaching the impact member of the bumper to the frame of the vehicle.

A bumper structure embodying the features of-the invention ishereinafter fully described and illustrated in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which- F ig. 1 is a top plan view of thebumper attached to the vehicle frame; Fig. 2 is a view in frontelevation of the bumper illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged de`tailed view invertical section as taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, andshowing the attachingr bracket in said elevation: Fig. 4 is an enlargedtop plan view of the attaching bracket; Fig. 5 is a perspective' view ofone of the side plates of the attaching bracket; Fig. 6 is a view inrear elevation of an attaching bracket removed from theA vehicle framemember, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged 'fragl mentary view showing the mannerin which the several bars of the impact member are jointed together atthe central portion of the bumper.

The bumper structure herein disclosed comprises in general the impactmember or Serial No. 598,031.

bumper proper consisting of a forwardly dlsposed impact section l, arearwardly disposed secondary section comprising a resilient bar 2, andattaching brackets 3 3 at` tached to the longitudinal frame members 1 -4of a vehicle, and having clamping enM 60 gaoement with the secondrvf bar2.

eferring first to the construction of the impact member, the secondarybar 2 conslsts of a continuous member extending throughout the length ofthe bumper, and having its end portions bent forwardly and inwardly in Ushape, forming end sections 5 5, terminating a short distance inwardlyfrom the extremities of the impact member. The central portion 6 of thesecondary bar 2 70 is bent or bowed forwardly, its mid-point lying inthe vertical plane of the impact sec` tion 1 and engaged thereto in amanner hereinafter to be described.

The impact section or that portion of the bumper which ordinarilyreceives the initial shock of impact comprises two parallel bars 7 7,preferably of resilient material, these bars being spaced apartvertically and connected together at their ends and also to theextremities of the end sections 5 5 by means of vertically arrangedbolts 8 8. As a preferable means of connecting the parts together asdescribed, the ends of the bars 7 7, as well as the end sections 5 5,are 85 bent to form eyes 9 and 10 respectively, the ends of the endsections 5 5 being introduced between the ends of the bars 7 7, andbolts 8 8 passed through the eyes 9 and 10 positioned in registeringrelation. By this arrangement animpact section of increased area isformed which is pivotally connected at its ends to the single secondarybar 2. and extends throughout the central portion of the bumper and.further is uniform1y dis` 95 tributed or arranged above and below saidsecondary bar 2. In addition to being pivotally connected to the ends ofthe secondary bar 2, the impact' section 1 is further connected to said'bar 2 at the central portion 100 of the bumper, preferably by means of apair 'of vertically arranged plates 12 12 which are clamptl againstopposite faces of the bars 7 7 of the impact section and the bowedportion 6 of the secondary bar 2,*as 105 clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 7these plates being secured in position by means of bolts 13 13connecting .the plates together, and

extending through the spaces separating the Several bars. As shown inFig. 7 the intermediate bar 6 has portions removed as at 14 toaccommodate the bolts 13-13. In this manner the forward and rearportions of the bumper are connected thereby providing a more suitableand rigid structure.

Referring now more in detail to the structure of the attaching brackets,there are two required, and both being identical in construction, adescription of one will suffice. Referring therefore to one of thesebrackets, the same consists of two side plates 15 and 16 which areadapted to be clamped against opposite sides of a frame member 4, and atthe extremity thereof. One of the side plates 15 is applied to the outerlateral face of the frame member 4 and consists of a suitably shapedmember having a marginal bead 15a and having a semi-circularconformation throughout its forward portion. The rear portion of theplate 15 is extended in the general direction of the frame member 4, andis provided with a vertical slot 17 adapted to receive a bolt 18 forminga part of a suitable clamping member 19 used for adjustahly connectingthe plate 15, as well as the entireattaching bracket, to the lower edgeof the frame member 4 at a point rearwardly of its extremity. Theprincipal point of connection between the plate 15 as well as of theattaching bracket, is the pivot bolt 20 which is a part of the vehicleframe, said bolt extending through a central aperture 21 formed in theplate 15, and likewise through a similar opening 22 located in acorresponding position in the plate 16 on the opposite side of the framemember 4. Integral with the plate 15 and having the same conformation asthe forward portion thereof, is a laterally extending flange 23 adaptedto have abutting relation with the opposite or companion plate 16, therebeing further formed at the extremities of the flange 23 two integralsleeves 24-24, which form in effect laterally openijngsockets whichreceive tubular extensions 25-25 integral with the plate 16, as clearlshown in Figs. 5 and 6. Arranged in diametrically opposed relation andextending laterally through the plates l5 and 16, as well as the sleeves2li-24 and tubular extensions 25-25, respectively, thereof, are bolts265-26, these bolts serving to clamp the plates 15 and'l securelytogether, the latter thus forming a box-like structure surrounding theend of the frame member 4. Integral with the plate 15 is a forwardlyprojecting arm 27 having the nature of a vertical web reinforced bymarginal beads 28-28, said arm terminating in a vertically disposedsleeve 29. Mounted at the end of the arm 27 is a clamping plate 30comprising la U-shaped yoke opening downwardly and adapted to receivewithin the space formed by the yoke a bar the latter being securelyfixed in place by means of a bolt 31 extending through the lowerextremities of the yoke forming portions of the clamping plate 30.Integral with the clamping plate 30 are two spaced lugs 32 adapted toengage the ends of the sleeve 2t) of the arm 2T, and a bolt 33 insertedthrough holes formed in said lugs and the said sleeve embraced by saidlugs. The bolt pre t'erably has a sufficient degree ot looseness topermit rotative movement between the clamping plate and the arm 2T, thusproviding pivotal connection between the bumper' anal the attachingbrackets The attachingl brackets herein describechtogether with themeans for connecting the same with the bumper. provide a desirablesupporting means for the impact member of the structure, in that itaffords the necessary degree of relative movement between the parts sothat they may 'freely yield at the instant of impact, therebydistributing the force uniformly throughout the entire structure, andafter the shock has been absorbed. to return to their normalconformation. The attaching brackets are of exceedingly ruggedconstruction, and thus are capable of Withstanding the shock of impactwithout being fractured.

The features of construction described in connection with a preferredembodiment of the invention, may obviously be modified without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Therefore, I do not wish to be limitedexcept in so far as the invention is specificially set forth in theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An automobilebumper comprising a bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle frame andhaving its ends bent U-shaped and a forwardly disposed impact sectioncomprising parallel bars connected together at their ends, and with thefree ends of said first mentioned bar.

2. An automobile bumper comprising a single bar extending throughout thelength of the bumper structure, and bent U-shape adjacent its ends toform forwardly disposed end sections, and an impact section comprisingbars spaced apart vert"cally, the bars of said impact section embracingand having pivotal connection with said end sections.

'3. An automobile bumper comprising a single bar extending throughoutAthe length of the bumper st'lucture7 and bent U shape adjacent its endsto form forwardly disposed endportions, and an impact section comprisingbars spaced apart vertically, the ends thereof having pivotal connectionwith said end portions of said first mentioned bar.

4. An automobile bumper comprising a ,1. y Y NCELE.;

Eflasll E har extending throughout the length of the bumper stricture.and bent in U shape at its ends. forming forwardly disposed endsections. an impact section comprising parallel ba rs spaced apartvertically and pivotally connected at their ends with said end sections.and intermediate their ends with said first mentioned bar.

5. An automobile bumper comprising a resilient bar extending lengthwiseot the bun1- per structure, an impact bar spaced forwardly of said barand pivotally connected at its ends with the ends of said firstmentioned bar, the central portion of one of said bars being bowed intovertical alignment with the other of said bars, and clamping platesconnecting said bars together intermediate the ends of said impactsection.

6. An automobile bumper comprising a resilient bar extending lengthwiseof the bumper structure. an impact section spaced forwardly of said barand comprising parallel bars pivotally connected at their ends invertically spaced relation to the ends of said first mentioned bar, thecentral portion of the latter being bowed outwardly and extendingbetween the bars of said impact section, and clamping plates connectingsaid bars together intermediate the ends of said impact section.

7. An automobile bumper comprising a resilient bar extending throughoutthe length of the bumper struct-ure, the ends of said bar being bent toform forwardly dis posed end sections, and an impact section comprisingparallel bars spaced apart vertically, and connected together at theirends and pivotally connected with the end sections, the central portionof said first mentioned bar being bowed outwardly into the verticalplane of said impact section and clamped thereto,v and brackets adaptedto be attached to-the frame members of a vehicle and comprising clampingplates engaging said resilient bar.

8. An automobile bumper comprising a bar extending throughout the lengthof the bumper structure, the ends of said bar being bent to formforwardly disposed end sections, and an impact section comprisingparallel bars spaced apart vertically, and connected together at theirends and with the end sectionsby bolts extending through eyes formed atthe ends of the bars, the central portion of said first mentioned barbeing bowed outwardly and extending between the bars of said impactsection, and means connecting said bars together.

9. An automobile bumper comprising a rearwardly disposed resilient barand a forwardlyrdisposed impact sect-ion extending between and pivotallyconnected to the ends of said bar, and an attaching bracket comprising aplate fixed to a vehicle frame member and having a forwardly extendingarm, and

a clamping member engaging said resilient bar and pivotally mounted atthe end of said arm.

l0. An automobile bumper comprising an impact member formed ot' arearwardly disposed resilient bar bent Jforwardly in U shape at itsends. and an impact section extending between and pivotally connected tothe ends ot' said bar, and a bracket for attaching said impact member tothe frame members of a vehicle comprising a plate fixed to the framemember, and provided with a forwardly extending arm and a clampingmember engaging said bar and pivot-ally mounted at the end of said arm.

l1. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section consisting et aplurality of bars adapted to extend transversely with respect to thevehicle, and a secondary bar having its ends pivotally connected to theends of the impact section and its central portion projected between thecentral portions of the impact bars and connected thereto.

12. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section consisting of aplurality of bars adapted to extend transversely with respect to thevehicle, and a secondary bar having its ends pivotally connected to theends of the impact section and its central portion projected toward andconnected to the central portions of the impact bars.

18. An automobile bumper comprising a secondary bar extending lengthwiseof the bumper and an impact section comprising a plurality of verticallyspaced bars also extending lengthwise of the bumper structure andconnected at their ends to the ends of the first mentioned bar, andmeans connectinf T the central portion of said impact section and saidsecondary bar.

14. An automobile bumper comprising a bar extending lengthwise of the.bumper structure and an impact sectioncomprising vertically spaced barsconnected together at their ends and with the ends of the iirstmentioned bar by means of bolts extending through eyes formed at theends of the bars. the central portion of the first mentioned bar beingprojected toward and connected to the said impact section.

l5. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section and a secondarysection, one of said sections comprising vertically spaced bars, thesections being connected together by means of bolts extending througheyes formed at the ends thereof, the intermediate portion of thesecondary section being projected toward and connected to the impactsection 16. An automobile bumper comprising a. pair of vertically spacedbals extending lengthwise of the bumper structure and con-v stituting animpact section, the ends of said bars'being provided with eyes, and asecrait-eraan ondary bar having its ends provided with eyes locatedbetween the eyes at the corresponding ends of the first mentioned bars.and bolts extending through the eyes at cach end oi the bumperstructure, the central portions ot said bars being connected together.

1T. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section and a secondarysection. one of said sections comprising a pair of vertically spacedbars extending lengthwise of the lbumper structure and the other sectioncomprising a bar.v the ends of said bars being pivotally connected andthe intermediate portions of said bars being connected together,

18. An automobile bumper comprising a secondary bar extending lengthwiseof the bumper structure and an impact section comprising bars spacedapart vertically, the ends of the bars of said impact section embracingand being pivotally connected to the ends ofthe secondary bar.

19. An automobile bumper comprising a pair of verticallyT spaced barsextending lengthwise of the bumper structure and constituting an impactsection, the ends of said bars being provided with eyes, and a secondarybar having eyes at its ends adapted to be positioned between the eyes atthe corresponding ends ofthe first mentioned bars and having its centralportion projecting toward and secured to the central portions of the rstmentioned bars, and bolts extending through the eyes at each end of thebumper structure.

20. An automobile bumper comprising a secondary bar extending lengthwiseof the bumper structure and an impact section co-mprising bars spacedapart vertically, the ends of the bars of said impact section embracingand being pivotally connected to the ends of the secondary bar, andmeans connected with the secondary barmfor pivotally support' i' thebumper frcra vehicle.

21.' n automobile bumper comprising a secondary bar extending lengthwiseof the bumper structure and an impact section comprising bars spacedapart vertically and having. their ends pivotally connected to the endsot the first mentioned bar, supporting mem'bers adjustably mounted uponthe second ry bar, and means for pivotally s upi each of said membersfrom a vehicle 2 An automobile bumper comprising a secondary sectionextending lengthwise ofthe bumper structure and an impact section havingits ends pivoted directly to the ends of the second section, supportingmembers adjustably mounted upon one of said sections, and means forpivo-tally supporting each of said members from a vehicle frame member.

23. The combination, with a vehicle frame member. of a. bumpersupporting arm connected thereto, a bumper comprising a secondarysection and an impact section comprising a pair of vertically spacedbars pivotally connected at their ends to the ends ot' the secondarysection. and means adjustably mounted upon one of said sect-ions forpivotally connecting the same to the said arm.

Q4. A. bumper comprising a secondary bar and a plurality of verticallyspaced impact bars pivotally connected at their ends to the ends of thesecondary bar, the central portion of the secondary bar being project-edtoward and connected to the central portions ot' the impact bars, andmeans including a pair of vertical pivots for adjustably connecting thesecondary bar 'to a vehicle frame..

Q5. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section having a pair otvertically spaced bars and a secondary section hming its ends pivotallyconnected to the ends of the rst mentioned bars, supporting arms forattaching the bumper to the vehicle frame. and a pivotal connectionbetween each of said arms and the secondary section of the bumper.

26. An automobile bumper comprising a secondary bar extending`lgnangthwise of uthe bumper structure and an section comprising barsspaced apart vertically, said bars being provided with eyes at theirends, and means extending through the eyes at each end of the bumperstructure for connecting the impact bars and the secondary bars.

27. An automobile bumper comp-rising a secondary bar extendinglengthwise ot the bumper structure and having eyes at the ends thereofand an impact section comprising a pair of bars spaced apart verticallyand each having eyes at its ends, the eyes at the ends of the secondarybar being positioned between the eyes on the corresponding ends of thebars of the impact section, and bolts extending through and pivotallyconnecting the eyes at each end of the bumper structure.

28. An automobile bumper comprising a pair ot' vertically spacedimpactbars, each having an eye at an end thereof, a bar having an eye atan end thereof interposed between the eyes on said impact bars andhaving a portion connected to said impact bars at points spaced fromsaid eyes, and a bolt extending through and connecting the said e es.

y29. An automobile bumper comprising an impact seotionrhaving a pair ofvertically spaced bars, each having an eye at an end thereof, a barhaving an eye at an end thereof interposed between the eyes -on theimpact bars, the last mentioned bar belng connected to said impactsection at a distance from said eyes, a bumper-supporting memberconnected with the third-mentioned bar, and a bolt extending thro-ughand connecting the said eyes.

30. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section having a pair ofvertically spaced bars, each having an eye at an end thereof, a barhaving an eye at an end there of interposed between the eyes on saidimpact bars and having a portion connected to said impact section at adistance from said eyes, a bumper-supporting clamp adjustably mounted ona portion of the third-mentioned bar which is intermediate of the eyeand the connected portion of said third mentioned bar, and a boltextending through and connect'lng said eyes.

31. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section having a pair ofvertically spaced bars, a secondary section connected at one end tocorresponding ends of the impact bars, and abumperesupporting membermounted on said secondary section.

32. An aiitomobile bumper comprising an impact section having a pair ofvertically spaced bars, a secondary section connected to the bodyportions of said bars and having an end connected to and betweencorresponding ends of said bars, and bumper-supporting membersadjustably mounted on said secondary section.

33. An automobile bumper comprising an impact section having a pair ofvertically spaced bars provided with eyes at their ends, a secondarysection having eyes interposed between the eyes on the impact bars, andbolts extending through said eyes.

34. A bumper comprising an impact section having a pair of verticallyspaced bars, and a secondary bar connected at its ends to said impactsection.

35. A bumper comprising an impact section having a pair of verticallyspaced bars, and a secondary har connected at its ends to the ends ofthe impact section and having an intermediate portion connected to anintermediate portion of the impact section.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

ALLAN L. MCGRE GOR.

